The police yesterday arrested UNP Ratnapura District candidate Dunesh Gankanda alleging that he had attacked a group of policemen at the Kahawatte police station.

Ratnapura SSP L.J. Kularatne alleged three policemen had been injured in the incident that took place around 5.30 am yesterday.

However, making a statement to the Kahawatte police Mr. Gankanda said he was severely assaulted by police officers.

The Ratnapura SSP said the incident had taken place when the police had tried to remove two cutouts of Mr. Gankanda that had allegedly obstructed a road in the Pelmadulla town. Mr. Gankanda in his complaint to the police had said he questioned the police officers as to why only his cutouts were being removed when there were many cutouts of government Ministers displayed without any problem. He also said that he even showed the cutouts of government ministers to the policemen who had come to remove his cutouts.

Police said they were threatened by Mr. Gankanda and his supporters who had come in three vehicles when they were engaged in removing the cutouts. Police said Mr. Gankanda had come to the Kahawatte police after this incident and lodged a complaint and while he was on his way out had got into an argument with the policemen concerned and thereafter assaulted them. Mr. Gankanda alleged he was assaulted by the policemen.

Police said Mr. Gankanda was later arrested while his supporters had fled. Ratnapura district UNP leader Thalatha Atukorale had also come to the police station and looked into the matter later. She said they would take steps to do justice to Mr. Gankanda.